Time switch



April 17,1928. y 1,666,129

W. A. FRANTZ TIME SWITCH Filed Jan. 21.11924 P1565 Pfg@ @@7571 1 1 15 c, 1- 75 2z 3 I n @so ma@ A. Bam 1o 2s 28 n ./n-U en for Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED rSTATES WALTER A.. FRANTZ, F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

TIRE SWITCH.

Application led January 21, 1924. Serial No. 687,509.

` This invention relates to time switches, and has for its object the provision of a simple, inexpensive, compact and yreliable device of thischaracter, whereby an ,electric switch can be operated atthe end of a predetermined .adjustable interval; the provision of a device ofthis character in which the interval can be varied at will, either increased or diminished, at any time during l0 the interval, and regardless of the existing condition of the mechanism; the provision of a device of this character wherein the load caused bythe switch isdistributed over a wide interval, thus reducing the danger of stopping the mechanism; the provision of a new type of switch; the provision of a single switch having improved provisions for producing a quick'make and break; while further objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

A time switch generally includes a clockwork or retarding train driven by a main spring, and my improvement relates to that Well known class of devices wherein a single member is turned to operate the switch in one direction, wind the mainspring, start the escapement (or other retarding device) and select the time interval after which the power of the mainspring, in addition to driving the chronometric train, serves to operate the switch in the reverse direction. More specificallyl my invention constitutes an improvement upon that set forth in the applications of James H. Reichart filed Feb. 17, 1922, and Sept. 19, 1923, Serial Nos. 537,190 and 663,580 respectively.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of thisapplication I have shown certain physical forms in which my inventive idea may be embodied, although it will be understood that the same may likewise be embodied in other physical'forms so that these drawings are intended to be only illustrative and not limiting. Fig. l is a face view of the casing, showing the switch dial;

Fig. 2 is a face view of the clockwork andl switch, the casing being omitted andf the winding key being cut upon the section line 2 2 of Figs.,3 andl 4; Fig. 3 is a central sectional view of the mechanism corresponding to the line 3 3 of Figs'.y 2k and 4; Fig. 4 is an end view of the mechanism, and Figs. -5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are detail views showing the successive steps in the operation of the switch; and Fig. 10 is a modification.

Describing these parts by the reference characters appearing on this drawing, 1-1 represent the two plates of a clockwork in which is journaled the arbor 2 to which is connected one end of the mainspring 3, the otherend of which is fastened to a post 4 of the frame. Rigidly fastened to this arbor is the ratchet Wheel 5 beside which is the loosely sleeved gear wheel 6 provided with the pawl 7 operatively engaging the same. Driven by this gear 6 are the various members 8 of the retarding train controlled by any suitable type of escapement, including, for example, the balance wheel 9. Any desired type of chronometric train can be use Rigidly secured to one of the plates 1, concentric with the arbor 2 is a circular plate 10 of insulating material, preferably some substance like bakelite, porcelain, vulcanite or the like which can be easily cast, having on its outer surface apair of concentric metal tracks, 11 and 12, which terminate in suitable insulated binding posts, 14 and 15 respectively.

One of the "tracks, as 11, preferably subtends a complete circle, but the other, as 12, is discontinuous at one point, being intersected by a radial notch 16 formed in the surface of the plate 10. This notch is preferably formed with abrupt walls and one end of the track 12 ends abruptly thereat.

operatively connected to the arbor 2 is a handle 20 to which is fastened an insulating sleeve 21 of which at least the lower end is squared or otherwise formed to carry with it the contact bar 22. This bai` is formed at one end to engage the track 11, and at the other end to engage the track 12, its intermediate portion being formed with a yoke embracing the sleeve 21 in rotating relation. Spring means are employedto press this bar into contact with the tracks, preferably a coil spring 24 embracing the sleeve 21, though this can be supplemented or supplanted by making the bar itself springy.

The clockwork here shown is arranged to drive this bar in a clockwise direction, and the track 12 terminates with such relation to the notch 16 that the bar will be snapped suddenly out of contact when it is pressed therein by its spring, as indicated in Fig. 8. The opposite wall of the notch is made square as shown at 25, so. that when the bar comes in contact therewith the clockwork will be stopped. To elevate this bar out of the notch upon the reverse movement otl the handle the following expedient is shown:

Pivoted to the edge of the plate 10 at the side ot the notch opposite the wall 25 is a camming member 2S, which may take many forms, but is here shown as a triangular slip of metal having an inclined side 29 which always faces the not-ch 16 and a pair of right angled sides in the angle of which lies the pivot 30. rIhe length ot one of these sides is such that it projects above the track 12 when the cam is turned, as shown in Fig. 6; the length of the otherrside is immaterial, except that it` should be so far eX- tended as to hold the cam normally in the position shown inl 4l, 5, 7, 3 and 9. A

.spring can be added to insure this position.

The connection between the handle 2O and arbor 2 is such as normally to cause them to turn together while permitting relative movement under certain abnormal` conditions. In Fig. 3 the arbor is tapered as shown at 32, the hub 33 of the handle being similarly tapered' and forcedl thereon by a spring 34 and nut 35 applied tothe reduced end of the arbor. The spring 34- is stronger than the spring 21'and the angle of taper is so chosen that a friction clutch is produced having such a tension as shall enable the Winding but not the overwinding ot the spring 3, and also permit the switch to be turned back at any time without awaiting the action of the clock mechanism.

In Fig. 10 the arbor 2&is formed with clutch teeth 36 co-operating with similar clutch teeth 37 formed on the hub 33LL of the handle 20a. This hub is loosely sleeved on the reduced extension 38 of the arbor 2a and is normally held clutched t0 the arbor by the spring 311 and nut 35, this spring as before being of greater strength than the spring 24. This arrangement enables the mech-y anism to be set like a watch by a slight pull on the stem. The sleeve 21 or 21@L is nonrotatably mounted on an extension of the hub which may either be integral as shown at 36 in Figs. 1 and 2 or separate and pressed or otherwise rigidly secured as shown at 36"y in Fig. 10. v

The switch and clockwork are preferably housed in a suitable casing 40, the handle 2O being located outside the same and provided with a pointer 41 playing over a dial 42 with which the casing is provided. I have shown a mechanism wherein the arbor 2 has a rate of one complete revolution intwo hours7 the dial being calibrated accordingly, and the Apointer being set to indicate zero time at the instant the bar 22 breaks contact with the track 12,. However, the clock does not stop until the bar engages the wall 25 of the notch, at which time the pointer occupies the dot-ted position shown in Fig. 1, which corresponds with the dotted posi- 'tion of the bar in Fig. 2.

Starting from this point the operation is as follows: The operator turns the handle 2O in the only direction it will go, namely: counterclockwise. The bar 22 tlrst engages the camV 28 and rotates it to the position shown in Fig. 6, whereupon it rides up the inclined tace and `jumps to the track 12, thereby making a quick contact, after which the cam drops back to its initial position as shown in Fig. 7. til the pointer indicates the length of time during which the current is to be lelt on, the spring 3 being meanwhile wound up. As soon as the handle is released the clockwork restores it gradually to its initial position, the circuit being quickly broken as the bar jumps from the track into the notch, where it first lands upon the cam as shown in Fig. 8 and later 'proceeds to the bottom of the notch as shown in Fig. 9. The switch, how-` ever, is at all times under the control oit' the operator. It it be desired to open the eircuit previous to the time designated, the releasable connections betweenzthe handle and arbor permits this to be done; likewise it' by repeated oscillations of the handle the spring 3 be fully wound it is still possible to operate the switch. It is impossible to turn thev handle in a counterclockwise direction when the bar 22 occupies the position shown in Fig. 8, but the same must iirst be turned slightly in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 9, after which it can be rotated as desired.

It will be understood that I do not limit my improved switch to use solely with time controlled mechanism, as there .are certain features ot' the same which are of broader application; neither do I vrestrict the use of the resetting mechanism herein solely to Switches of this construction; nor do I limit myselfl to any details of construction, arrangement or design except as specifically recited in my several claims.

I-Iavingthus described my invention, what I claim is: y

1. In a time switch, a stationary member having a. discontinuous circular track terminating in an abrupt shoulder, a movable member adapted to sweep over said track and to jump abruptly from said shoulder, means :tor rotating said member in opposite directionsand means operative upon the approach ot'said member toward said shoulder in the opposite direction from which the jump occurred for elevating said member automatically to contact with the track.

2. In a time. switch, a circular metal track having a notch and a spring pressedv metal member adapt-ed to engage said track and rlhe handle is` turned unto spring from said track into said notch, a chronometer train and a main spring adapted to produce relative movement between said track and member, and connections to said track and said member whereby the switch is abruptly opened when Said member springs into said notch.

3. In a time switch, a circular track having a notch and a. s ring pressed member adapted to engage sald track and to spring into said notch, a chronometer train and a main spring adapted to produce relative movement between said track and member, and connections for said member whereby the circuit is abruptly opened when said member springs into said notch and means operative when said members are set back manually for lifting said member out of said notch.

4. An electric switch comprising, in combination, a circular track having a notch, a spring pressed member adapted to run on said track and to spring into said notch,

means for effecting relative movement between said member and track, and means operative after said member has sprung into said notch for lifting the same out of said notch upon movement of the parts in the opposite direction.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a track having a shoulder, a spring pressed member movable along said track and adapted to spring past said shoulder, and a cam adapted to spring said member back onto said track when it is moved in the opposite direction.

6. In an electric switch, a discontinuous track having an abrupt shoulder, a member movable over said track and yieldingly pressed thereagainst so as to spring therefrom when moved past said shoulder in one direction, and a loosely mounted cam adapted to be engaged by said member when moved toward said shoulder from the opposite direction to elevate said member past said shoulder and onto said track.

7. In an electric switch, a discontinuous track having two ortions at different levels separated by an a rupt shoulder, a member movable along said track and yieldingly pressing thereagainst so as to spring abruptly past said shoulder when moved past the same in one direction, connections for breaking the circuit when said member leaves the track at said shoulder, means for producing relative movement between said member and track in both directions, and a cam member pivoted adjacent to said shoulder adapted to restore said member to said track when moved toward said shoulder in the opposite direction.

8. In an electric switch, an insulatin base, a discontinuous metal track carried t ereby and terminating at one end in an abrupt shoulder, a spring arm adapted to be moved around said track, electric connections to said arm and track whereby the circuit will be broken abruptly when the arm is moved Vpast said shoulder in one direction, and

means for automatically snapping said arm back on said track when said arm is moved past said shoulder in the opposite direction.

signature.

WALTER A. FRANTZ.

lil) 

